Chapter 5: So What?

29 May 2012
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In order to live without the ego trick we must become capable of enjoyment. In order to do this, we must become more conscious of the ego in order to see that the ego is nothing but layers of an onion. We wait for the middle of the onion only to find nothing after pealing it completely. The thing we must become conscious of is that truth that the ego is an illusion, a defense mechanism placed on us by society rendering us incapable of really living and really enjoying life. The trick to this is not to do it in such a way as to seem better than anyone else, as that is also the ego. But the author also says that we are not supposed to consciously try to get rid of the ego, but that it will vanish on its own if we simply continue to be aware of our existence as the all and all.

But this idea seems so much like the automatic model of the world, as if everything is to be left to its own devices even in my own reality. Here I disagree with Watts. I am more inclined to belief that if I find my current reality unacceptable, I can change it. In fact, in some instances I am obligated to. The fact that I would rather have a different reality then the one I am experiencing is not ego as I did not say better or worse. Although what is putting this into my head? Who is the author of these ideas? I suppose they could be the product of the ego.